James s



(No Model.)

J. S. PAYNE.

FENCE POST.

Patented Oct. 15, 1889.

N4 PETERs, PhMoLilhcgnpher, Wmlhinginn D.c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES S. PAYNE, OF VIRGINIA, ILLINOIS.

FENCE-POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 413,088, dated October 15, 1889.

Application filed April 19, 1889. Serial No. 307,831. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. PAYNE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Virginia, in the county of Cass and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence Posts; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My lnvention relates to certain new and useful improvements in posts for wire fences.

The object of my invention is to provide a metallic fence-post which can be easily and readily placed in position and in which the post can be turned down upon its base, so that the fence may be used as a flood-fence, such construction also permitting the post to be swung down and out of the way when driving the base into the ground.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fence-post and base therefor con structed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the post in a vertical position in full lines and thrown down in dotted lines. 1

A refers to the fence-post proper, which is made up of a single fiat bar of metal curved upon itself centrally to provide two parallel side pieces, the lower ends of which are pivotally secured to the upper end of the base B. Each of the side pieces composing the post A are provided with oppositely-inclined slots at, which connect with perforations b, in which the wires of the fence rest.

In constructing the post A the same may be made of a rolled piece of sheet metal of proper width and thickness, and the perforations and slots therein can be formed during process of manufacture, and when this strip is bent upon itself the slots at will be oppositely inclined. Above the pivotal point of the post the side pieces composing the same are provided with perforations cl, which register with a perforation in the upper end of the base, and to maintain the post in a vertical position a pin is passed through the perforations. I prefer to use a wooden pin, for should any undue strain come upon the post the pin would give way and permit the post to incline, thus adapting the same for use as a post for flood-fences, and it will also adapt the post to be used in connection with barbwire and prevent serious injury to animals should they come in contact with such a fence.

The base B tapers to a point at its lower end and is provided with laterally-extending wings e, which are formed integral with the base on opposite sides thereof. The outer edges of these wings are sharpened, and the lower ends thereof are inclined, as shown in thedrawings.

To secure the postin position the post A is swung to one side and the base driven firmly in the ground, after which the post is swung to a vertical position and secured by inserting a pin in the perforations b.

I am aware that prior to my invention it has been proposed to pivot the post to a base, and I do not claim such construction, broadly, as my invention.

I am also aware that fence posts have been made by bending a strip of metal upon itself and securing the ends thereof to a base; but

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A fence-post having a base provided with central pointed portion wedge-shaped, as described, laterally-extending side wings, and upwardlyextending central portion having upper and lower perforations, an upper part formed of a strip of metal bent upon itself, its free ends being connected to the said 'perforated portion, the two sides of said strip having registering openings and oppositelyarranged slots intersecting the same, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I JAMES S. PAYNE. Witnesses:

R. U. MILL, F. E. DOWNING. 

